A COMMUNITY learning centre is closing its doors in Dovercourt.

From the end of this month, courses for adults will no longer be provided at the Harwich Adult Community Learning Centre, in Main Road.

Instead courses will be taught at venues around Harwich and Dovercourt more suited to the specific type of course.

The decision comes after enrolment numbers an the Harwich centre have steadily declined over the years, meaning it is no longer financially viable for courses to continue running at the site.

Over the past three years just 317 students have studied at the centre.

But Essex County Council has confirmed that none of the courses will close and all of the classes scheduled for 2017 and 2018 will take place at alternative venues in the area.

The courses include hair and beauty, languages, GCSEs, IT and arts and crafts.

Ray Gooding, Essex County Council cabinet member for education, said: “I’m pleased that as a result of working with local contacts and partners we will be able to offer adult learning in venues where we are confident people will flourish and where we can support thriving economies within our communities.”

People who have already booked onto the courses in the Harwich area for the start of the new academic year have been contacted.

The centre will also continue to support and manage the on-site pre-school attached to Mayflower Primary School.

A full announcement on the new venues will follow during the summer.

Anyone with queries or needing further information about courses in the Harwich area should call 0345 603 7635.